The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-30
A MODERN MONTE CRIsTo.
The Remarkable Story of Edward Har-
risor, a PGrdoned Felop.
From, the On,-ba Bee.


rison, d PSrdoned Felon.
From the 0nteha Bee.
The Union Pacific overland train yester-
day morning had a passenger ON board
named Edward Harrison, a well-known
California millionaire, whose history, as
related by himself to Bee representative,
is a most romantic one, and in a degree
equals that of Dumas famous hero, Edmond
Dantes The reporter was given a tip by
Il sable porter that passenger Of more than
ordinary interest was seated in the smoking
compartments of the rear car and the gem
tlenian was sought out. Mr.. Harrison, for
that was his name, is a fine-looking man, Al
years of age He wears full beard, slightly
tinged with gray. and Is a pronounced bru-
nette. During the wait at the depot and
the ride to Council Bluffs he related his
story, which substantially is as follows
Mr. Harrison is the son of New York
tailor doing business at No 422 Fourth ave-
nue., New York. In 1865, when IS years of
age, he ran away from homeland made his
way TO New Orleans. He found nearly all
industries paralyzed from the effects of the
war, and for self-maintenance was obliged
to seek employment on the sugar plantation
of Pierre Gense. Here lie remained for four
years, and by practicing the strictest econ
omy was enabled to save $500. In 1870 Mr.
Harrison decided to 60 to California, and in
the spring of that year reached Sacramento.
Here he became acquainted with a man
named James Lawson, with whom he en-
tered into partnership, and the commission
house of Harrison & Lawson was estab-
of money, but after five months
of the firms existence Mr.. Har-
rison discovered that Lawson was
systematically robbing him, ami insisted
that the partnership be dissolved. After
several stormy scenes between the two men
the dissolution was effected, and each one
began business under his own name. The
rivalry existing between the two men was
the subject of much concern among the peo-
pie Of Sacramento, and it was the openly
expressed opinion of many that the feud
would end in bloodshed. Both men were
hot-tempered, and on many occasions ex-
pressed their hatred for each other in I'M
guarded and violent terms. In fact, Mr..
Harrison was known to have said that be
would Fix Lawson forever if opportunity
was ever offered.
One night about seven months after the
dissolution of the firm of Harrison g. Law
son, the latter was shot and instantly killed
Immediately in front of Mr. Harrison's
place of business. Mr.. Harrison was writ
ing letters at his desk when the shot was
fred. He grabbed up pistol that lay be-
fore him, and rushed to the sidewalk. There
he found PROSTATE form, but ere he could
discover its identity the police came up and
placed Harrison under arrest. n xt
morning be was lodged in the county Jail,
TO await trial on the charge of murder.
At the next term of the Criminal Court
Mr.. Harrison was tried for the murder of
James Lawson. The best legal talent in the
State was employed by the defense. The
chain of circumstantial evidence was 50
strong that anything short of conviction
was impossible, and Mr.. Harrison was
found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.
1t was proved that Lawson and Harrison
were deadly enemies, that the latter had
made threats against the formers life, that
he was found standing over the murdered
man with pistol in his hand from which
one shot had been fired, and that the bullet
found in Lawson's body was of the same
calibre as those remaing in Harrison's
weapon.
Mr.. Harrison's attorneys Immediately
fled motion for a new trial on the ground
of having discovered new and important
evidence After several days argument
their client was granted new trial. Har-
rison's lawyers then set up a novel defense,
and by number of witnesses showed that
their client was somnambulist and that he
had been known to discharge firearms before
while in a trance 1t was shown that be had
remained up all night previous to the MUIR
der and had complained of great fatigue
during the day. The jury was out five days
and then brought in verdict of guilty OF
murder in the second degree. While this
was clearly in violation of the evidence and
law, Mr. Harrisons attorneys counselled
their client to abide by it, They evidently
considered him guilty and thought he was
getting off very easily,
The unfortunate man was sentenced to
the penitentiary for eighteen years. During
the nine years that followed he became ac-
qua,nted with fellow convict named Will
liam Paddock, sentenced to life for the muir.
der of a miner. Finally, in the year 1882,
Harrison was pardoned and released from
imprisonment, his innocence being estab-
iished by the death-bed confession of a man
named Eaton, who stated that he killed
Lawson for the purpose of robbery, but the
appearance Of Harrison on the scene with a
pistol in his hand prevented him from re-
moving the murdered mans valuables Be-
fore he left the prison he was accorded an
interview with Paddock, who told him of
certain rich gold deposits in Idaho known
only to him. This information was given
to Mr.. Harrison only with the understand
ing that if he found the statement to be
true he should use every effort to secure
Paddock's pardon and give him a certain
percentage of the value of the find.
Mr.. Harrison was greatly impressed with
the truth of Paddock's revelation, ana after
securing what little money he possessed
started at once for Idaho. Following the
instructions of Paddock he finally struck
paying ore i'll what is now known as the
CGur dAlene mines. Mr.. Harrison Ell
gagged the cooperation of wealthy gentle
man in San Francisco and bought up
large tract of the land, which he afterward
sold at fabulous, rates, making himself i'm
mensely rich
Mr.. Harrison did not forget the convict
Paddock, but used every effort to effect his
release and finally succeeded. Almost. the
last official act of the late Gov. Bartlett, OF
California, was the signing of Paddock's
pardon. Mr. Harrison is now en- route to
New York to visit his aged parents, whom
he has not seen for twenty-five years.